Late blight found on potato in New Jersey – 7/2/13

Late blight has been confirmed in two commercial potatoes field in Salem County. These are the first reports of late blight on potato in the state. Late blight was found in an organic tomato field in Mercer County last week. All commercial and organic tomato and potato growers in NJ should now consider late blight a significant threat and should take immediate steps. All growers should scout their fields on a daily basis. All commercial tomato and potato growers should include late blight specific fungicides in their regular fungicide maintenance programs. All organic tomato and potato growers should apply OMRI-approved copper based products to help suppress late blight development. As long as the current weather conditions continue, late blight will remain a significant threat.